Saturday, April 22, 2017

I still have loads of untold stories from my life in Tokyo that it may take me a while to talk about them all. Before making our move to Aomori, I wanted to go to the largest shrine in Kamakura - Tsuruoka Hachimangu. The last time we went there, my wife and I were not yet collecting shrine or temple seals. We only had two more months left before our impending move, we decided to make another day trip to Kamakura. I had plans to go to one other temple as well.

On the way to Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, we would walk along Komachi Dori, another popular tourist spot in Kamakura. But first, we would stop for lunch somewhere.

鶴岡八幡宮への道は小町通りを通る。ここも鎌倉の人気観光名所。でもお参りする前に何処で昼食を食べる。

We saw this menu for a restaurant called [Misui] which looked pretty promising.

「美水」（みすい）という店の看板を見たら、結構良さそうだったので覗いてみた。

With a long line at its entrance, we thought it must be pretty good so chose to stand in line.

行列が出来てる店を発見したので、ここに決めた。

The tempura and soba set was perfect.

蕎麦と天ぷらは最高に美味しかった。

I think my wife ordered the Fukurokuju gozen.

妻が頼んだのは確か福禄寿御膳。

We had dessert here at Sugi Yohoen.

デザートはここ、杉養蜂園。

Ice cream with fresh honey.

蜂蜜かけのソフト。

Also snacked on some freshly made senbei (rice crackers).

小町通りで焼きたてのせんべいも食べました。

I just love the design of the old style buildings.

やっぱり古い建物が好き。デザインが素晴らしい。

I couldn't help but notice the tour group with their members all wearing yellow hats like kindergarten kids. I didn't see a tour conductor with a little flag though which is also a common site.

黄色帽子を被ってる観光客が結構目立ちました。旗を持ってる添乗員はないけど。

We are nearing the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine.

鶴岡八幡宮に近づいた。

The Taiko Bashi Bridge / 太鼓橋

Genpei Pond / 源平池

Hand purifying basin / 手水舎

Shimohaiden - Maiden (Lower Worship Hall) / 下拝殿・舞殿

Sake barrels / 酒樽

The Great Ginkgo Tree (located on the right side of the picture). According to the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Site, the ginkgo tree was over 1,000 years old but was blown down on March 10, 2010. The great ginkgo was where the 3rd Minamoto shogun, Sanetomo, was assassinated by his nephew, Kugyo, who had hidden himself behind the tree. Thus, it is also called Hiding Ginkgo. Presently, many sprouts are visible emerging from the remaining roots; and they are growing vigorously.

I'm not sure which is which but the two statues on either side of the gate represent two kami. Toyoiwamado-no-kami and Kushiiwado-no-kami, and protect the gate from evil spirits.

楼門の両側に二人の神が居る。豊石窓神と櫛石窓神。楼門を守ための神々。

Portable shrines / 神輿

Prayer boards / 絵馬

Oh my goodness, you may find this hard to believe, but I forgot to take a picture of the main shrine!!

あららら！信じられないかも。僕はなんと本宮の写真を撮り忘れてる！！

We also walked up the stairs to the Maruyama Inari Shrine.

階段を上って丸山稲荷社に行きました。

Maruyama Inari Shrine / 丸山稲荷社

Mustn't forget our touristy picture!

観光用の写真も忘れずに！

We spotted a furry resident of the shrine grounds.

境内にリスを見かけました。

Okay, so I got a little carried away taking pictures of the squirrel.

すみません。リスの写真撮りすぎたかも。

Yui Wakamiya Youhaijo / 由比若宮遥拝所

Tsurukame Stone / 鶴亀石

Shirahata Jinja / 白旗神社

Sazare ishi (boulder formed from gravel and sediment) / さざれ石

I spotted some doves!

白い鳩発見！

Hata-age Benzaiten Shrine / 旗上弁財天社

Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine Seal / 鶴岡八幡宮の御朱印

Dessert time as I settled down with a Kamakura Moon Kamakura Beer.

一旦休憩して鎌倉ビールを飲みました。

My wife had a nice large shaved ice at the tea shop [Kaze no Mori].

喫茶「風の杜」で妻は大きなカキ氷を食べた。

I couldn't help myself.

やるしかなかった。

We were on our way to Tokeiji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, one of the temples I wanted to see after watching a movie that was set there titled "Kakekomi" in English. It was known as the Divorce Temple in feudal Japan. But we also came across the Kaizoji Temple on our way. Unfornately, I seemed to have deleted all the pictures I took at Kaizoji Temple by mistake and I seem to have deleted quite a few pictures I took at Tokeiji Temple as well.

I can't believe I accidentally deleted all the pictures I took at Kaizoji Temple and more than half I took at Tokeiji Temple. I suppose it gives me an excuse to go there again but who knows when that might happen.

もう海蔵寺と東慶寺の写真が削除されたのは信じられない。自分が凄いドジッた。ま、まだ行けば良いと思うが、それはいつになるかわかりませんね。

This was the temple seal for Kaizouji.

これが海蔵寺の御朱印。

Tokeiji Temple Seal / 東慶寺の御朱印

Little did I know I would be making another trip to Kamakura the following week as a long-time friend was coming to Japan and I promised I would be their guide and one of their plans was to see the Great Buddha.